Abstract: In this work, a measurement system using the FBG sensing technology is designed to assess the one-dimensional distribution of lateral deformation of model soils in the shaking table tests. An optical fiber with multiplexed fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensors is sticked to a thin and flexible strip, which is inserted vertically through the soils. The strip will be bended driven by the lateral movement of the soils due to horizontal ground motion. The strain information is obtained by the FBG sensors. The strain-to-displacement conversion is done via continuum mechanics models. The deflection of the strip is considered to be the lateral deformation of the soils in the front of the strip. This measurement system is tested and verified through the shaking table tests and compared with other measurements.